March 30, 2016 // Franchising.com // JACKSON, Miss. - Pairing a big moment with a big cause, fast-casual Newk’s Eatery is celebrating its centennial restaurant opening by uniting system-wide to raise $100,000 for ovarian cancer research starting April 4. Each of Newk’s 100 restaurants has committed to raising $1,000, inviting guests to join the search for a cure by adding a dollar or more to their purchases at the register. Newk’s 100th restaurant will be opening its doors in Lake Charles, Louisiana on April 4— the first Newk’s franchise location for Southeast Restaurant Group, a veteran operator of franchise and independent restaurants, and the third restaurant nationwide to feature Newk’s “Generation 2” restaurant design.

“Our 100th restaurant is a major milestone for the Newk’s brand— it’s unbelievable to look back at that first restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi and see how far we’ve come,” said Chris Newcomb, Newk’s Eatery Co-Founder and CEO. “Newk’s 100th opening gives us the prime opportunity to welcome a new franchisee to the Newk’s family and embrace a cause that’s near and dear to all of our hearts. We’ve got a great deal of passion for ovarian cancer awareness and research that’s now amplified a hundredfold as we work together system-wide to turn small coin into big change.”

The $100,000 raised will be donated in full to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA)— the largest global organization dedicated to advancing ovarian cancer research while supporting women and their families. Next month’s campaign will be an outgrowth of Newk’s year-round ovarian cancer awareness movement, dubbed “Newk’s Cares,” which has so far raised more than $280,000 over the past two years for the cause. Inspired by the personal cancer battle of Lori Newcomb, wife of Newk’s Eatery’s CEO and Co-Founder, Newk’s Cares this year is donating 10 cents from every water bottle sold at Newk’s restaurants to OCRFA— making every sip count in the fight against ovarian cancer.

Newk’s 100th restaurant marks the halfway point in the brand’s aggressive growth plan to double in size by 2019. Located in Southwest Louisiana, the Lake Charles restaurant is one of 15 units planned by New Orleans-based Southwest Restaurant Group (SRG) for the Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas region over the next seven years. The group’s development agreement complements the brand’s ongoing expansion efforts along the Gulf Coast and is Newk’s largest build-out commitment to date.

Jackson, Miss.-based Newk’s Eatery has 100 locations in 13 states and plans to expand to more than 200 units by 2019. For more information about Newk’s, visit Newks.com or follow Newk’s on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

About Newk’s Eatery

Based in Jackson, Miss., Newk’s Eatery is leading the next generation of fast-casual with its culinary-driven menu prepared in Newk’s open-view kitchens, featuring made-from-scratch soups, fresh tossed salads, artisan pizzas, hot toasted sandwiches and desserts. Founded in 2004, Newk’s currently operates and franchises 100 units in 13 states and is gaining national attention for its accelerated growth and commitment to community. The company’s newest restaurants feature a “Generation 2” design, presenting a fresh, on-trend look for the brand while maintaining Newk’s signature warmth and open-view kitchen. FastCasual.com has named Newk’s one of its top 20 “Movers and Shakers,” while Franchise Times magazine ranked Newk’s among its top Fast and Serious franchise brands and Technomic listed Newk’s among its top 50 U.S. fast-casual chains. The brand was also recently named among “The Next 20” by Nation’s Restaurant News and one of QSR magazine’s “Best Franchise Deals.” For more information, visit Newks.com, join the Roundtable Club or follow Newk’s on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA) is the largest global organization dedicated to advancing ovarian cancer research, while supporting women and their families before, during and after diagnosis. As the voice for ovarian cancer, OCRFA advances private research, advocates for increased federal research and awareness and furthers policies that give women access to the services they need. The organization has invested more than $70 million in private ovarian cancer research and helped to secure more than $2.2 billion federal dollars dedicated to ovarian cancer research and awareness. OCRFA engages the survivor community with programs like “Woman to Woman,” pairing gynecologic cancer patients with gynecologic cancer survivors, and “Survivors Teaching Students®: Saving Women’s Lives,” an educational program connecting ovarian cancer survivors with health professional students to present their unique stories about the disease. Visit OCRFA.org to learn more.

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